The head of a Zambian faith-based organization receiving U.S. funds to address HIV said of civil society organizations affected by the U.S. aid cuts: “The religious leaders and faith communities, they have to learn from these civil society groups, because they are leading the response in many spaces.”
Date: 5/26
Region: Africa
Country: Zambia
Topic: Health, Gender Equality & Inclusion
Policy Lens: Global Health Security
Entry Type: Field Observation
Additional Context: Reporting for Devex, Andrew Green looks into how the new America First Global Health Strategy cuts off U.S. support to local organizations to fight HIV, except for faith-based organizations. This quote is attributed to Gibstar Makangila, Circle of Hope’s executive director.
As reported by Devex, the same organizations referenced by Makangila have been devastated by U.S. funding cuts and now appear to be written out of the new bilateral agreements. Faith-based organizations may face barriers in their outreach to many vulnerable communities living with HIV, especially those who do not trust faith-based groups to deliver services without discrimination.
Source: Devex